Where George Town began
Francis Light landed here in 1786.
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The historic seafront square at the heart of George Town: a broad green field locals call the Padang, with a seaside promenade beside it and Fort Cornwallis at its end. Here Captain Francis Light, the founder of George Town, landed on 17 July 1786, and this was the first ground cleared in the new settlement. Elegant white colonial buildings surround the field, above all the City Hall, with a war memorial on the promenade. At the roundabout near the fort stands the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, raised for her Diamond Jubilee and said to be sixty feet tall, one foot for each year of her reign at the time. The square is free and always open, and today it is Penang's stage for major celebrations and events. It is best in the late afternoon and evening, when the sea breeze blows and people sit on the promenade watching the ships. Combine it with neighbouring Fort Cornwallis, then walk on into the old town. The visit is short, half an hour to an hour, and can stretch into an evening by the sea.
Francis Light landed here in 1786.
Raised for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
A promenade for watching the ships.
Padang Kota Lama, next to Fort Cornwallis, George Town
Fort CornwallisHere Francis Light of the British East India Company landed in 1786 to found the3 minutes walk3.4
Pinang Peranakan MansionA green mansion on Church Street built in the late nineteenth century by Chung K6 minutes walk4.6
Little India, George TownA lively quarter in the heart of George Town, fragrant with spices and incense a8 minutes walk
Kapitan Keling MosqueFounded by Muslim traders from South India in the early nineteenth century, a fe10 minutes walk4.7
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion)An unmistakable mansion painted deep indigo, built in the late nineteenth centur10 minutes walk4.5It is a pleasant short stop with Fort Cornwallis, and sitting on the promenade at sunset is its best part. On its own it is not worth a special trip.